Defense alliance: Marin expects Finnish NATO decision within weeks
A few days ago, the Finnish Prime Minister pointed out the advantages of joining NATO.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
Stockholm Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin expects a speedy decision on her country’s NATO membership. She assumes that a decision is weeks, not months, away, Marin said on Wednesday during a visit to Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in Stockholm. It is important to achieve as broad a consensus as possible on security and foreign policy issues.
Marin emphasized that the European security situation had changed fundamentally as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Your government will present a new security policy analysis on the consequences of a Finnish NATO application on Wednesday. The difference between a partner and a member of the military alliance is very clear, she said. Nothing offers such security guarantees as NATO Article 5, in which the NATO states assure each other of their support in the event of an attack. It contains both risks: if you apply for admission or if you don’t.
So far, Marin has not publicly taken a clear position in favor of or against membership in the NATO debate. The security analysis should form the basis for a parliamentary discussion. Among other things, it should list the advantages and disadvantages of NATO membership, but not provide any clear information about membership. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned Finland and Sweden against joining NATO.
>>Read also: Finland’s Foreign Minister: “We must now support Ukraine with all the weapons it needs”
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
Andersson emphasized that the partnership between Sweden and Finland has been further deepened in recent weeks. The changed security situation underlines the importance of close cooperation with the EU and Finland. You have alternatives, none of which are without risk, she said.
Sweden is also talking about joining NATO
The discussion about joining NATO triggered by the war in Ukraine is more advanced in Finland than in Sweden. There they are waiting for their own security policy assessment, which is to be published by the end of May. Observers assume that this could be submitted to NATO as early as May or June.
According to information from the Swedish newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet”, the leadership of Andersson’s ruling Social Democrats has already decided that Sweden should soon join NATO. The aim is to submit the corresponding Swedish application at the NATO summit in Madrid in June, the newspaper reported on Wednesday. Andersson said the situation had to be analyzed in terms of what would be best for Sweden’s security and the people. She ruled out hasty conclusions.
More on this: Finland before decision on possible NATO application
Reference-www.handelsblatt.com